Mike Slass elected Class of 2025 president
Class of 2025 elections underway
Today, the Class of 2025 will choose their student government officers. Voting will be open from 8 am to 8 pm at the Rensselaer Union and the Commons Dining Hall.
Freshman elections explained
Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ’22 reviews the positions for freshman elections and the importance of each.
RPI TV proposal for student wages denied
RPI TV's proposal suggesting that certain RPI TV members be paid $15 an hour to cover home hockey games during the 2022-23 season was unanimously denied.
RPI TV's proposal suggesting that certain RPI TV members be paid $15 an hour to cover home hockey games during the 2022-23 season was unanimously denied.
Drag fever with Typhoid Mary
Laura Zwirn ’23 and Erik Cross ’23 interview local drag queen Typhoid Mary to learn more about their artistic endeavors and their lived experiences as an artist in Troy.
Laura Zwirn ’23 and Erik Cross ’23 interview local drag queen Typhoid Mary to learn more about their artistic endeavors and their lived experiences as an artist in Troy.
Marketing and Strategy Committee resurrected
The 52nd Student Senate approved changes to the Executive Board’s bylaws on October 5 in order to bring back the Marketing and Strategy Committee, which had been dissolved in 2019.
Confusion surrounds Red Army podcast funding
On Thursday, the Union Executive Board passed RPI Red Army’s proposal for a new podcast, but motioned to postpone a budget reallocation that would cover the cost of a new microphone for the program.
Emergency funds approved for UPAC projector repair
The Union Executive Board approved an emergency subsidy for UPAC's Cinema division via an electronic vote on October 14.
Men'S Hockey
Overtime déjà vu
After thrashing the Canisius Golden Griffins 6‒2 the night prior, the Engineers were defeated 3‒2 in overtime, a callback to their defeat versus Bowling Green last weekend. The Engineers’ season record is now 1‒2‒1.
Field Hockey
Engineers’ winning odyssey ends in Ithaca
After defeating the Sage Colleges and Union College earlier this week, the Engineers were taken down by Ithaca College with a score of 1‒0. The loss broke their five-game winning streak, bringing their season record to 7‒7 and 3‒2 in the Liberty League.
Jackson maskless at D.C. conference
President Shirley Ann Jackson appeared without a mask in Washington, D.C. on September 28 for the Amazon Web Services Summit, while Rensselaer continues to enforce mask mandates and travel restrictions for students.
President Shirley Ann Jackson appeared without a mask in Washington, D.C. on September 28 for the Amazon Web Services Summit, while Rensselaer continues to enforce mask mandates and travel restrictions for students.
Neurodiverse education helps all students
Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ’22 discusses the need for creative classroom solutions to accommodate and encourage neurodiversity on campus.
Borderline brilliance at poetry slam
Talk Without Borders organized Poetry Slam Night, an event aimed towards providing members of the Rensselaer community with an open space to express themselves in an artistic way.
Field Hockey
Engineers triumph on turf
The Engineers had a phenomenal three-for-three week, outscoring their opponents 18‒1. Liberty League Rookie of the Week Nina Caprio ’25 scored five goals in the three home games to become the team’s leading scorer with six goals.
Women's Hockey
McCutcheon mangles Union
Fresh off a 4‒0 win against Union, the Engineers dominated the match on October 9 with ECAC Rookie of the Week Audrey McCutcheon ’25 leading them to a 9‒2 victory with a hat trick.
FOOTBALL
Engineers continue undefeated season
No. 25 Rensselaer defeated Buffalo State 24‒16, bringing their record to 6‒0 on the season and 2‒0 in the Liberty League.
How Parasite and Squid Game disprove the get-rich-quick myth
Bill Ni ’23 shares his thoughts on why Parasite and Squid Game are so successful and how they reflect on our society’s income inequality.
Bill Ni ’23 shares his thoughts on why Parasite and Squid Game are so successful and how they reflect on our society’s income inequality.
football
Yellowjackets stung by Engineers
The Engineers began Liberty League play with a 38‒22 triumph over the University of Rochester, continuing their undefeated season. Rensselaer now stands at 5‒0.
RCOS
New Shuttle Tracker enters beta
Shuttle Tracker recently released a new public beta, called “the new Shuttle Tracker,” with a major new feature: crowd-sourced location data. The Polytechnic interviewed the Shuttle Tracker team on the Tracker's new features.
The sin of mental illness
Brandy Opondo ’23 shares the story of her struggle coping with mental illness at a college that vilifies and punishes seeking treatment.
Brandy Opondo ’23 shares the story of her struggle coping with mental illness at a college that vilifies and punishes seeking treatment.
Unvaccinated students to comply with additional COVID-19 restrictions
Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Travis Apgar presented rules in place for unvaccinated students on campus in front of the Student Senate. Restrictions include more frequent testing, wearing a mask at outdoor events, and following special dining hours.
Senate creates MSFC Liaison position
The Student Senate voted to create the position of Multicultural Sorority and Fraternity Council Liaison, allowing the appointed liaison, Karina Sandoval ’22, to give her report during Senate meetings.
Student representation in the presidential selection process
Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ’22 discusses the three phases of the presidential selection process and how students can get involved.
Getting back to writing
Business Manager John Stotz ’22 reflects on his inactivity in The Poly and explores his inability to finish an article.
Business Manager John Stotz ’22 reflects on his inactivity in The Poly and explores his inability to finish an article.
Union and Mueller Center return to full capacity
The hours of operation for the Union, Mueller Center, Clubhouse Pub, Playhouse, J Building, and Auto Shop have been finalized and will return to full capacity for the Fall semester.
Hockey tickets made free in an Institute first
Rensselaer students, faculty, and staff will be admitted to the stands of the Houston Field House for free, on a first-come first-serve basis, to watch the Engineers battle for victory within the Eastern College Athletic Conference.
Women's Hockey
Engineers beat the Orange to a pulp
Julia Blitz ’23 finds the back of the net late to secure a victory against Syracuse in an exhibition match, Amanda Rampado '23 with 29 saves.
Women's Soccer
Wisnom: Savior against the Saints
Whitney Wisnom ’22 scored on the final play of the game to rescue a draw against Liberty League opponents St. Lawrence.
What the class of 2025 wants to know
The following are a mix of questions asked by first-year students who participated in The Polytechnic’s Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond event and some we as a staff think every student should know. Student questions were answered in real time and later abridged into this article.
The following are a mix of questions asked by first-year students who participated in The Polytechnic’s Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond event and some we as a staff think every student should know. Student questions were answered in real time and later abridged into this article.
We Are Lady Parts is the quirky coming-of-age narrative we’ve been waiting for
Editor in chief Medhini Mankale ’23 and photography editor Rachel Wang ’23 explain why We Are Lady Parts is the one show you should binge this semester. The comedy series follows an all-female Muslim punk band as they prepare and audition for a battle of the bands competition, with plenty of witty banter and jokes along the way.
Editor in chief Medhini Mankale ’23 and photography editor Rachel Wang ’23 explain why We Are Lady Parts is the one show you should binge this semester. The comedy series follows an all-female Muslim punk band as they prepare and audition for a battle of the bands competition, with plenty of witty banter and jokes along the way.
Commemorating September 11 as an Arab American
Theo Severud '23 recalls the tragedy of the September 11 attacks, and its impact on Arab Americans.
BSA is back in business
Rensselaer’s Black Students Alliance is excited to kick off a year of fun activities for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak. It prides itself in being a cultural outlet for RPI’s Black community and its allies. We strive to showcase the Black experience and offer an immersive experience for those looking to learn and be a part of that experience. Jeda Coward ’24, Makenna Noel ’24, and BSA President Tiffany Filawo ’23 write about the importance of the BSA, how it persisted through virtual meetings, and its upcoming events.
Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson announces retirement
On Friday afternoon, President Shirley Ann Jackson announced that she will be retiring from her position as President of Rensselaer in July 2022. Jackson has served as president since 1999.
On Friday afternoon, President Shirley Ann Jackson announced that she will be retiring from her position as President of Rensselaer in July 2022. Jackson has served as president since 1999.
RPI mandates unlimited meal plan for first-year students
The new unlimited meal plan, available for all students, replaces the 19 on-demand plan as the mandate for residential first-year students. The unlimited meal plan costs $7,270 a year and credits students with both $150 in Flex Dollars and an unlimited number of meal swipes, but has brought up concerns from current students.
RPI releases return-to-campus plan for the Fall semester
An email sent to the Rensselaer community provided details of the Institute's plan for classes, events, and safety protocols for this Fall semester with consideration for the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Super protected: a vaccination tale
Public health officials warn of possible side effects, but what if they weren't all negative? The Poly is bringing back comics with graphic artist Habib Nahouta at the helm.
Public health officials warn of possible side effects, but what if they weren't all negative? The Poly is bringing back comics with graphic artist Habib Nahouta at the helm.
Online services to be partially reinstated
Some services dependent on Rensselaer servers will be partially reinstated, starting today. The Learning Management System (LMS) currently works for a limited timeframe. The Student Information System (SIS) only works on campus, and Rensselaer Webmail is not yet running.
Monday, Tuesday finals canceled due to cyberattack
An announcement was posted this afternoon to all of Rensselaer’s social media stating that “all final exams and submissions (e.g., term papers, project reports) scheduled or due for Monday (May 10) and Tuesday (May 11) are cancelled” as a result of the cyberattack on RPI servers that occurred on Friday.
RPI takes down servers in response to cyberattack
Earlier this morning, Rensselaer servers were shut down in response to a cyberattack leaving many students unable to access LMS course materials, contact professors through email, take their final examinations, or submit final projects.
Earlier this morning, Rensselaer servers were shut down in response to a cyberattack leaving many students unable to access LMS course materials, contact professors through email, take their final examinations, or submit final projects.
Residential students speak out against unsatisfactory quarantine living conditions
The 51st Senate concluded its term with the passing of the ‘Quarantine Communications' motion prompted by the extension of the Trigger Level One quarantine on March 17. In a meeting attended by over 180 people, students discussed a potential refund for the quarantine food, the quality and nutritional value of meals, and outdoor time.
The 51st Senate concluded its term with the passing of the ‘Quarantine Communications' motion prompted by the extension of the Trigger Level One quarantine on March 17. In a meeting attended by over 180 people, students discussed a potential refund for the quarantine food, the quality and nutritional value of meals, and outdoor time.
Building the future of The Polytechnic
Journalism is in flux. The traditional newspaper is dead. Revenue from selling advertisements in a printed edition is shrinking. Across the country, smaller newspapers are being bought by national conglomerates, and the staffs that understand local issues better than anyone are being eviscerated to cut costs.
Journalism is in flux. The traditional newspaper is dead. Revenue from selling advertisements in a printed edition is shrinking. Across the country, smaller newspapers are being bought by national conglomerates, and the staffs that understand local issues better than anyone are being eviscerated to cut costs.
